Power rake

ABSTRACT

A drive incorporated in a power rake includes a clutch mechanism for selectively transmitting power from a power source to the reel for rotation thereof and including a member movable relative to a position providing power transmission between the power source and the reel, a spring biasing the member away from the power transmitting position, a control mounted on the handle for movement relative to a position adjacent to the handle portion, and a linkage connecting the control and the member so as to retain the member in the power transmitting position against the action of the biasing spring when the control is retained in the position adjacent to the handle portion and to permit movement of the member away from the power transmitting position and movement of the control away from the handle portion in response to action of the biasing means when the control is not held in adjacent relation to the handle portion.

This is a division of application Ser. No. 505,559 filed Sept. 13, 1974.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to power rakes which are particularlyadapted for thatching lawns A prior power rake 11 is shown in FIG. 1 and2 of the drawings and includes a housing 13 comprising a top deck orwall 15 which is welded or otherwise fixed to a pair of laterally spacedside walls 17 (only one shown in FIG. 2). Extending downwardly from thefront edge of the top wall 15 and between the side walls 17 is a frontwall 19.

The housing 13 is supported for travel over the ground by a pair of rearwheels 21 (only one shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) respectively supported bythe side walls 17 and by a single front wheel 23 which is mountedcentrally between the side walls 17 and can be selectively verticallypositioned.

Included in the power rake 11 is a schematically illustrated reel 25together with means mounting the reel 25 from the housing side walls 17for rotation about a horizontal axis transverse to the direction ofintended power rake movement.

The reel 25 includes a plurality of blades 27 which extend redially ofthe axis of reel rotation and which are rotatable in respective verticalplanes in common with the reel 25 and which are swingable relative tothe reel about horizontal axes spaced from the reel axis.

Also included in the prior power rake 11 is a power source 29 comprisingan internal combustion engine mounted on the top wall 15 adjacent to oneof the side walls 17.

Extending between the power source 29 and the reel 25 in an endless belt31 which is reeved around a pulley 33 constituting a part of the reel 25and around a pulley 35 on the output shaft of the engine or power source29. Suitable means such as an adjustably located idler wheel 37 areprovided for removing slack from the belt 31 to insure powertransmission.

Connected to and extending rearwardly from the housing 13 is a generallyU-shaped handle 39.

Also included in the power reel 11 is a baffle 41 which extendsdownwardly and rearwardly from the rearward edge of the top wall 15.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a power rake comprising a housing including a topwall, spaced side walls, and means supporting the housing for travelover the ground, a thatching reel including a plurality of thatchingblades, means supporting the thatching reel in the housing for rotationof the blades in respective vertical paths, means for rotating the reelso that, adjacent to the ground, the blades travel in the directionopposite to the intended direction of travel, and baffle means extendingdownwardly and forwardly between the side walls from behind the reel andterminating adjacent to the periphery of the path of the blades.

In further accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the baffleterminates in the area between about one o'clock and three o'clockrelative to the axis of reel rotation when seen from the side.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the power rakealso includes a guard having a width substantially equal to the distancebetween the side walls and having a forward portion and a rearwardportion, together with means pivotally mounting the forward guardportion to the housing with the forward guard portion extending toadjacent the baffle and with the rearward guard portion extending toadjacent the ground. In a preferred embodiment, the forward guardportion extends approximately tangentially to the baffle, and in foreand aft section, is downwardly concave, and the rearward guard portion,in fore and aft section, is upwardly concave.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the power rakeincludes a thatch catcher detachably connected to the housing andextending rearwardly therefrom, and a member mounted on the housing andextending between the side walls and rearwardly from the baffle forpivotal movement between a first position located in adjacent relationto the ground when the catcher is detached from the housing and a secondposition located, when the catcher is connected to the housing, inbridging relation between the housing and the catcher. In a preferredembodiment, the housing side walls extend rearwardly beyond the top walland the catcher is releasably connected to the side walls and includes abottom wall having a forwardly extending portion located between theside walls, and the catcher further includes, adjacent to the bottom ofthe part adjacent to the housing, a deflector extending upwardly andrearwardly between the side walls and in downwardly spaced, generallyparallel relation to the baffle so as to define, together with the sidewalls, the baffle, and the member, a thatch discharge passageway betweensaid housing and said catcher.

The invention also provides a power rake comprising a housing having atop wall and side walls depending from the top wall, front wheel supportand guide means comprising means on the housing defining a threaded,vertically extending aperture located closer to one of the side wallsthan to the other of the side walls, a shaft threaded through theaperture and including, at the upper end thereof, a manually gripablehead, a hanger connected to the lower end of the shaft for relativerotary movement therebetween about the axis of the shaft and for commonvertical movement with the shaft in response to shaft rotation, meansfor releasably preventing rotation of the shaft, axle means connected tothe hanger for swinging movement in a vertical plane about a fore andaft axis and extending to the side walls, means on the side walls and onthe axle means for guiding vertical movement of the axle means, andspaced wheels mounted on the axle means on each side of the hanger.

In further accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the guidemeans extends vertically and there is further included releasable meansassociated with the guide means for adjustable regulating thepermissible length of vertical movement of the axle means. In apreferred embodiment, the guide means comprises a vertically extendingslot through which the axle means extends and a clamp block is movablealong the slot and includes lever means for releasably clamping theblock in adjusted position relative to the slot.

The invention also provides a power rake comprising a housing supportedby wheel means for travel over the ground, a handle extending from thehousing and including a portion adapted to be gripped by an operator topropel and guide the rake over the ground, a reel including a pluralityof cutting blades, means on the housing mounting the reel for rotationof the cutting blades in respective vertical paths, a power source,clutch means for selectively transmitting power from the power source tothe reel for rotation thereof, and including a member movable relativeto a position providing power transmission between the power source andthe reel, means biasing the member away from the power transmittingposition, a control mounted on the handle for movement relative to aposition adjacent to the handle portion, and a linkage connected to thecontrol and to the member so as to retain the member in the powertransmitting position against the action of the biasing means when thecontrol is retained in the position adjacent to the handle portion andto permit movement of the member away from the power transmittingposition and movement of the control away from the handle portion inresponse to action of the biasing means when the control is not held inadjacent relation to the handle portion.

In further accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the clutchmeans includes an endless element operatively connected to the powersource and to the reel and the member comprises a rotatable idleroperative, when in the power transmitting position, to remove slack fromthe endless element so as to cause power transmission thereby. In apreferred embodiment of the invention, the idler engages the outsidesurface of the endless element and the member has fixedly associatedtherewith a brake which is movable with the idler and which is movableto braking engagement with the inside surface of the endless elementwhen the member is moved from the power transmitting position.

One of the principal features of the invention is the provision of apower rake or thatcher including a baffle prevention or reducing thatchrecirculation within the housing.

Another of the principal features of the invention is the provision of apower rake including a guide which serves to deposit thatch on theground and to prevent discharge of solid objects toward the operator.

Another of the principal features of the invention is the provision of apower rake including a rearwardly extending and detachably connectedthatch catcher, together with a member which is pivotally carried by thehousing and which, when the catcher is disconnected, extends between theside walls to adjacent to the ground and serves as a guard and which,when the catcher is connected to the housing, extends between thehousing and catcher and serves as the upper wall of a thatch dischargepassageway.

Another of the principal features of the invention is the provision ofpower rake including a power transmitting drive and controlling linkageoperable to maintain power transmission to the reel only when thecontrol is manually retained by the operator in selected position.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become known byreference to the following drawings, general description, and claims.

DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a prior power rake.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the prior power rake shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view, partially broken away, of a powerrake embodying various of the features of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view showing a modified form of baffle and guardconstruction.

FIG. 5 is a partially broken away and enlarged fragmentary view of thefront wheel mounting arrangement incorporated in the power rake shown inFIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the power rake shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a power rake whichincludes a catcher and which embodies various of the features of theinvention.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the power rake shown in FIG. 3 when arrangedfor up-milling operation.

Before explaining the invention is detail, it is to be understood thatthe invention is not limited in its application to the details ofconstruction and the arrangement of the components set forth in thefollowing description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention iscapable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out invarious ways. Also it is to be understood that the phraseology andterminology employed herein is for purpose of description and should notbe regarded as limiting.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Shown in FIGS. 3, 5 and 6 a power rake 111 which embodies various of thefeatures of the invention. As in the prior power rack 11, the power rack111 includes a housing 113 including a top deck or wall 115, a pair ofside walls 117 and 118 extending vertically from the side edges of thetop wall 115, and a front wall 119 extending downwardly and forwardlyfrom the forward edge of the top deck or wall 115 between the side walls117 and 118.

The housing 111 is supported for travel over the ground by wheel meansincluding a pair of transversely spaced, rearwardly located wheels 121and 122 respectively rotatably supported by a rearward part of the sidewalls 117 and 118. If desired, means can be provided for adjustablyvertically supporting the rear wheels 121 and 122 relative to thehousing 113.

Rotatably supported by the side walls 117 and 118 is a thatching reel125 constructed substantially identically to the reel 25 included in theprior power rake 11 and including a plurality of blades 127 rotatable invertical paths.

Mounted on the top wall 115 adjacent to the side wall is a power source129 which can be in the form of an internal combustion engine in off-setrelation to the fore and aft center line of the rake 111.

Means are also included for transferring power from the power source 129to the reel 125 and including an endless belt 131 trained around apulley 133 on the reel 125 and around a pulley 135 on an output shaft136 extending from the power source 129.

Connected to and extending from the housing 113 is an inverted "U"shaped handle 139 including a portion 141 adapted to be gripped by theoperator. As thus far described, the power rake 111 is not materiallydifferent from the prior power rake 11.

In accordance with the invention, the housing is provided with a baffle151 (See FIG. 3) which extends downwardly and forwardly from behind thereel 125 to adjacent the periphery 153 of the path of blade rotation.While other constructions could be employed, in the illustratedconstruction, the baffle 151 preferably extends at an angle ofapproximately 45° to the horizontal top wall 115 and from adjacent tothe top wall 115 to between about one o'clock and about three o'clockwhen seen from the side in relation to the reel axis 155.

Also in accordance with the invention, there is provided a guard whichis pivotally mounted from the housing 115, which extends between theside walls 117 and 118, and which preferably is arranged to constitute acontinuation of the baffle 151 and is adapted to travel adjacent to theground 168. While other constructions could be employed, in theillustrated construction, the guard 161 includes a forward portion whichis pivotally mounted from the housing 115 about an axis 165 and which isdownwardly concave in fore and aft cross-section. In addition, the guard161 includes a rearward portion 167 which preferably extends smoothlyfrom the forward portion and is upwardly concave in fore and aft sectionand which is adapted to ride on, or adjacent, to the ground 168.

Preferably, the transition from the baffle 151 to the forward guardportion 163 is smooth, i.e., the baffle 151 extends approximatelytangentially to the downwardly concave forward guard portion 163. Theguard also includes spaced side walls 169 which extend downwardly fromthe forward guard portion 163.

The disclosed baffle 151 and guard 161 advantageously preventrecirculation of thatch within the housing 113 and serve to more or lessuniformly deposit the thatch on the ground 168 rearwardly of the powerrack 111, while at the same time, avoiding any possibility of dischargeof unwanted solid objects toward the rear.

Also in accordance with the invention, power transmission control meansare provided for interrupting power transmission from the power source129 to the reel 125 when the operator does not take positive action tocontinue such power transmission. If desired, brake means can also beprovided to stop rotation of the reel 125 in the absence of positiveaction by the operator to continue power transmission.

While various other arrangements can be employed, in the illustratedconstruction, the power transmission control means comprises a clutchmember 181 movable relative to a position engaging the belt 131 so as toprovide power transmission, together with means biasing the clutchmember 181 away from the position providing power transmission. Inaddition, the control means includes a control or element 183 movablerelative to a position adjacent to the handle portion 141 so as toafford retention by the operator of the control 183 adjacent to thehandle 139 during use, together with linkage means for connecting thecontrol 183 to the clutch member 181 for moving the clutch member 181 tothe power transmitting position against the action of the biasing meansin response to movement of the control 183 to the position adjacent tothe handle portion 141 and for displacing the control 183 from theposition adjacent to the handle portion 141 in response to movement ofthe clutch member 181 away from the power transmitting position underthe action of the biasing means when the control 183 is not retained bythe operator adjacent to the handle portion 141.

While various other arrangements could be employed, in the illustratedconstruction, the clutch member 181 comprises an idler which isrotatably mounted on a lever 185 pivotally mounted at 187 on the housing113 so as to engage the idler 181 with the outside surface of theendless belt 131.

While other arrangements could be employed, in the illustratedconstruction, the biasing means comprises a helical spring 189 arrangedto urge the lever 185 in the counterclockwise direction as seen in FIG.3.

While other arrangements could be employed, in the illustratedconstruction, the control 183 comprises a bail 190 which is pivotallymounted at 192 to the spaced upright members of the handle 139 and whichincludes a cross portion 191 movable to a position adjacent to thehandle portion 141. Fixed to the bail 190 is a lever 193 including anear or tab 195 which engages the handle 139 to limit pivotal movement ofthe bail 190 in the counterclockwise direction, as seen in FIG. 3.

While other arrangements could be employed, in the illustratedconstruction, the linkage comprises a flexible member 197 which can beguided by suitable means 198 fixed to the handle or otherwise and whichis connected to the outer end of the bail lever 193 and to an arm 199extending from the lever 185 which supports the idler 181. Desirably, aspring 201 is incorporated or connected to the flexible member 197between the lever 193 and the arm 199, which spring 201 extends inresponse to movement of the bail 190 to the position adjacent to thehandle portion 141 so as thereby to provide lost motion and to overcomethe biasing action of the spring 189.

In order to afford up-milling, i.e., operation of the power rake 111 inthe direction opposite from the normal direction, the handle 139 ismounted to the housing 113 so as to permit movement between a rearwardlyextending position shown in FIG. 3 and a forwardly extending positionused during upmilling and shown in FIG. 8. In this regard, the sidewalls 117 and 118 include respective portions 211 extending upwardlyfrom the top wall 115 and respective studs 213 to which the handle 139is removably pivotally mounted. In addition, the upwardly extendingportions 211 of the side walls 117 and 118 respectively includeintegrally formed spaced cars or tabs 215 and 217 respectively limitingpivotal movement of the handle 139 to the rearwardly extending positionand to the forwardly extending position. A pulley or bearing 221 (SeeFIG. 8) is mounted from the side wall 217 and, during up-milling, theflexible member 197 is trained thereabout and then forwardly forconnection to an extension link 223, which in turn, is connected to thebail lever 193. Thus, when the handle 139 is located in the forwardlyextending position for up-milling, the bail or control 183 is operablyconnected to the clutch member 181 for controlling power transmission.

Also in accordance with the invention, the pivotally mounted lever 185also fixedly supports a brake element 231 which, when the clutch member181 is in the power transmitting position, is positioned clear of thebelt 131 and which is engageable with the inside of the belt 131 inresponse to movement of the clutch member 181 from the powertransmitting position.

The disclosed clutch and brake arrangement advantageously serves toprevent reel rotation in the absence of continued operator maintenanceof the bail 183 in adjacent relation to the handle portion 141.

In further accordance with the invention, there is provided a pair oflaterally spaced front wheels 235, and means mounting the wheels 235 toafford selective vertical location of the wheels 235 relative to thehousing 113 and to selectively afford rocking of the wheels 223 about afore and aft axis located in spaced relation to the fore and aft centerof the power rake 111.

While other arrangements could be employed, in the illustratedconstruction, the housing 113 is provided, in off-sett relation to hefore and aft center line of the power rake 111, and in the directiontoward the side wall 117 adjacent to the power source 129, with abracket 236 including a threaded, generally vertically extendingaperture 237 receiving a threaded stud or shaft 239. The upper end ofthe stud 239 is provided with a manually grippable head or handle 241 tofacilitate rotation of the stud 239 so as to cause vertical studdisplacement relative to the housing 113. A wing nut 242 is provided toreleasably hold the stud 239 in vertically adjusted position. At itslower end, the stud 239 is connected to the horizontal leg of a U or Lshaped hanger 243 so as to afford common vertical movement of the hanger243 with the stud 239 while simultaneously permitting relative rotationbetween the hanger 243 and the stud 239 about the axis of the stud 239.

The hanger 243 includes a vertical leg 245 which is pivotally connectedabout a fore and aft axis to an axle means which, in the disclosedconstruction, is in the form of a transverse structure or beam 247which, adjacent to its ends, rotatably supports the pair of laterallyspaced front wheels 235. Thus, the front wheels 235 can be verticallydisplaced by manual manipulation of the head 241 and, in addition, thewheels 235 are mounted so as to enable conformance to ground contour.

In further accordance with the invention, means are provided on thehousing 113 and on the axle means or beam 247 for guiding verticalmovement of the axle means and for selectively limiting or restrictingthe permissible range of vertical movement of the ends of the axlemeans. While other arrangements are possible, in the disclosedconstruction, such means comprises formation in the side walls 117 and118 of respective vertically extending slots receiving the axle means orbeam 247, together with respective clamping blocks 251 whichrespectively project into the slots 249 and which can be adjustablypositioned in the slots 249 to limit the vertical length thereof. Thuswhen located in abutting relation to the axle means or beam 247, theclamping blocks 251 serve to rigidify the axle means 247 againstmovement relative to the housing 113.

More specifically, in the disclosed construction, the clamping blocks251 are identically constructed and each includes a portion 253 which isreceived in the associated slot 249 together with a pair of wings 255which extend from the portion 253 and which, when the clamping block 251is locked, bear against the margins of the associated slot 249.Extending fixedly from the clamp portion 253 is a threaded stud 257which projects through the associated slot 249 and outwardly therefrom.Threaded on the extending stud is a nut 259 having an integrallyextending level 261. The pitch of the thread is arranged so thataproximately one quarter turn of the level 261 wil serve to lock andunlock the clamping block 251. More specifically, when the lever 261extends forwardly, the engagement of the nut 259 on the threaded stud257 tightly frictionally engages the wings 255 against the associatedside wall, thereby locking the clamping block 251 in the slot 249.However, rotation of the lever 261 upwardly about one-quarter turnsufficiently increases the distance between the nut 259 and the clampingblock 251 so as to unclamp the block from the associated side wall andto permit vertical adjustment of the clamping block 251 in theassociated slot 249. Thereafter, return of the lever 261 to theforwardly extending position locks the clamping block 251 in adjustedposition.

Thus, the front wheel mounting arrangement can be employed to provideinfinite adjustability within limits in the height of the transversebeam 247 above the ground 163 and to selectively permit rocking of thetransverse beam 247 about a fore and aft off-set axis, so as thereby toenable the front wheels 235 to follow ground contour or to rigidify thetransverse beam 247 relative to the housing 113 in adjusted verticalcondition.

In further accordance with the invention, there is shown in FIG. 7 apower rake 311 which includes means for catching thatch leaving thecutting blades. In this regard, the power rake 311 is generallyconstructed in the same manner as the power rake shown in FIGS. 3, 5,and 6 except as mentioned hereinafter. Thus in the power rake 311 shownin FIG. 7, there is provided a catcher 313 which includes a rigid bottomor base 315 supporting one or more ground engaging means, such as forinstance, one or more caster wheels 317, and which also supports a wireframe 319, which in turn, supports a cloth or plastic bag 321 includinga mouth which receives the thatch discharge from the housing.

In the power rake 311 shown in FIG. 7, the side walls are extendedrearwardly at 323 as compared to the side walls of the power rake 111and there is provided a member 325 which is pivotally mounted on thehousing, which extends between the side walls and from adjacent theupper end of the baffle, and which constitutes a guard when the catcher313 is disconnected from the rake 311 and which constitutes an uppertransition wall when the catcher 313 is mounted on the power rake 311.

More specifically, in order to facilitate mounting of the catcher 313 onthe power rake 311, the base or bottom 315 includes two laterallyspaced, horizontally outwardly extending pins 327 which are adapted toenter into laterally spaced slots 329 located in the side walls andrespctively including rearwardly open, horizontal portions 331. At theirforward ends, the slot portions 331 communicate with respectivedownwardly extending vertical portions 333. Thus, during assembly of thecatcher 313 to the power rake 311, the pins 327 extending from the base315 are fully inserted into the lower ends of the vertical portions 333of the slots 329. When thus assembled, the catcher 313 will follow thepower rake 311 during movement along the ground.

When the catcher 313 is assembled to the power rake 311, the catcherside walls extend rearwardly from a position approximately adjacent tothe inside surface of the side housing walls.

The combination guard and transition wall member 325 supports an arm 341including a portion 343 extending rearwardly in spaced relation to themember 325 so as to define an opening into which the top of the frontpart of the catcher 313 is received, thus locating the member 325 toprovide a top transition wall between the rake 311 and the catcher 313when the catcher 313 is assembled to the rake 311. When the catcher 313is disassembled from the rake 311, the member 325 pivots downwardly toengage the lower end thereof against the ground to prevent discharge ofthatch upwardly toward the operator and to prevent discharge of solidarticles toward the operator.

Still further in accordance with the invention, the catcher 313 isprovided, along the lower part of the mouth thereof, with a guide plate351 which extends rearwardly and upwardly and which, when the catcher313 is assembled to the rake 311, extends from adjacent the periphery ofthe path of the cutting reel and from adjacent to the ground in spacedrelation to the baffle 151 and member 325 to provide therebetween athatch discharge passageway.

In still further accordance with the invention, the prior power rake 11can be modified as shown in FIG. 4 by removing the previous baffle 41shown in FIG. 1 and by including a baffle 451 and a guard 461 whichsubstantially prevents thatch circulation in the housing and, therefore,reduces power consumption. The baffle 451 can be bolted or otherwiseconnected to the housing and includes an arcuate portion 453 extendingdownwardly and rearwardly in adjacent relation to the periphery of thepath of the rotating reel and a rearward portion 455 extending upwardlyand rearwardly from the lower end of the arcuate portion 453 in the areawithin from about one o'clock to three o'clock when viewed from the sidein regard to the axis of reel rotation. Other arrangements can, ofcourse, be employed to provide a baffle which, in accordance with theinvention, extends upwardly and rearwardly from the periphery of thepath of reel rotation in the area between about one o'clock and threeo'clock as seen from the side with respect to the reel axis.

Various of the features of the invention are set forth in the followingclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A power rake comprising a housing supported bywheel means for travel over the ground, a handle extending from saidhousing and including a portion adapted to be gripped by an operator topropel and guide the rake over the ground, a reel including a pluralityof cutting blades, means on said housing mounting said reel for rotationof said cutting blades in respective vertical paths, a power source onsaid housing, clutch means for selectively transmitting power from saidpower source to said reel for rotation thereof, said clutch meansincluding an endless element operatively connected to said power sourceand to said reel and a member supporting an idler and movable relativeto a position providing power transmission between said power source andsaid reel, said idler being operative, when said member is in said powertransmitting position, to engage the outside surface of said endlesselement so as to remove slack from said endless element so as to causepower transmission thereby, a brake fixed relative to said member formovement, in common with said member, to a position in brakingengagement with the inside surface of said endless element when saidmember is moved from said power transmitting position, means biasingsaid member away from said power transmitting position, a controlmounted on said handle for movement relative to a position adjacent tosaid handle portion, and a linkage connecting said control and saidmember so as to retain said member in said power transmitting positionagainst the action of said biasing means when said control is retainedin said position adjacent to said handle portion and to permit movementof said member away from said power transmitting position, movement ofsaid brake to said position of braking engagement, and movement of saidcontrol away from said handle portion in response to action of saidbiasing means when said control is not held in adjacent relation to saidhandle portion.